Graeme Shinnie urges Aberdeen fans to be patient as he makes the biggest decision of his career

GRAEME Shinnie’s future may be uncertain at the moment as he considers whether to extend his stay at his beloved Aberdeen or try his luck, and doubtless increase his earnings, down in England.

But one thing is assured as as the 27-year-old ponders what will be the biggest decision of his career to date; the dilemma he is wrestling with won’t have a negative impact on his performances for the Pittodrie club.

Players in Shinnie’s position, out of contract in the summer and unsure if they should accept the new deal they have been offered by their employers or move elsewhere, often find their form suffers as a consequence.

The midfielder’s contribution in the Ladbrokes Premiership game against St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park on Saturday – he scored two goals to ensure Aberdeen won 2-0 and equalled their record for consecutive away victories – showed that is not a concern in his case.

It is just as well for McInnes with the William Hill Scottish Cup quarter-final with Rangers coming up at Pittodrie this Sunday.

Shinnie, a Dons fan who was born and raised in the Granite City, has been a firm favourite with supporters since he signed four years ago and the adoration certainly rained down on him at the weekend.

He urged followers of the north-east outfit to be patient with him as he weighed up his options. “Give it time,” he said. “I’m at an age where this is a massive decision for me and I’m not going to rush into it.

“But games like Saturday’s show my commitment to the team and that my mind is never away from it. I’m always focused on this club. To be fair, words are not what will show it, it’s performances.

“I always know how much of a good bond I have with the fans here and it would never be an easy decision. I’ve always said that. I’m the captain of this club and I love leading this team.

“Days like Saturday, when you’ve won 2-0 and you’ve helped the team, are always satisfying. It’s never going to be an easy decision for me and that’s why I’m taking my time.

“I have a lot to take in, but my commitment will always be there and I’ll always give 200 per cent to this club. I love being captain and leading this team.”

Shinnie, who has won five caps since finally making his Scotland debut in the friendly against Peru in Lima last summer, also enjoys being involved with his country. His brace in Perth will have helped his cause of remaining part of the national set-up going forward. Alex McLeish, the manager, was one interested onlooker.

“I’m delighted to get the goals,” he said. “Every time I score I say: ‘I’m desperate to get more goals’. And then they dry up. So I might not say it this time!

“Seriously, though, I’m always keen to score and I’m always practising my finishing with Doc (assistant manager Tony Docherty) after training. In training they go in, but when it comes to a game they don’t. It’s important that I chip in.

“They were decent enough finishes, especially the first on my right foot. I’ll take that all day long. It’s something that I practise often and it’s something I feel that in my game I need to do more of. I’m happy with but I can’t rest on it, I need to do it more often.”

Shinnie added: “I love my time away with the national team and this is the first season where I’ve been in consecutive squads. I feel part of it now. I have bonds with the players, but I know my performances always have to be good and thankfully I had a good game while the manager was there watching me.”

Another player involved at McDiarmid Park on Saturday with a realistic chance of being given a Scotland call-up for the opening Euro 2020 qualifying double header against Kazakhstan and San Marino next month is St Johnstone centre half Jason Kerr.

The 22-year-old may have been unable to prevent Aberdeen from extending their winning streak on the road to seven games, but he once again impressed onlookers greatly with his assured and mature showing in defence. His team mate Murray Davidson, who has one international cap to his name, certainly feels his team mate is capable of making the step up.

“Jason had an extremely good game, but he’s been excellent all season,” said Davidson. “We come to expect it from him now. Since Christmas, he has grown and is starting to lead.

"He’s got everything he needs to be a top player. Put it this way, if he is in the next Scotland squad, I would not be surprised. “

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